Mine That Bird Works At Ruidoso Downs Monday

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (September 7, 2009) – Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird worked one-half mile in :48 on Monday morning at Ruidoso Downs, continuing his preparations for the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders Cup Classic on November 7 during the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet in Arcadia, California.
Trainer Chip Woolley clocked the gelding working the first quarter in :25, the second quarter in :23 and galloping out the six furlongs in 1:11.
“It was a hair sharper than what I wanted. I was hoping for :49,” Woolley said. “We wanted a maintenance work and we’re pleased.”
Jorge Martin Bourdieu was aboard the gelding who was second in The Preakness and third in Belmont Stakes. The jockey had worked the gelding at Sunland Park this spring before he shipped to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, which he won at 50-1 odds.
“He’s a lot sharper than before he went to the derby,” Bourdieu said. “He’s improved a lot. Chip and his crew have done a great job with him.
“I think the (recent throat) surgery really helped him. He feels strong and is getting a lot of air. He was nickering come back (from the work); it didn’t take anything out of him.”
Mine The Bird will lead the post parade this afternoon at Ruidoso Downs. He will appear at an open house at co-owner Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico on Thursday and then ship to Southern California.
He is on schedule to race in the Grade 1, $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on October 10 at Santa Anita Park as his prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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